Yogesh K Porwar
*Let them conduct any investigation they want.
*Politics of Jealousy as they cannot digest me being CM.
*Discussion with Union Ministers regarding approval for state projects.
*Our guarantee schemes are for the state’s voters and eligible beneficiaries.
*Developments in Madhya Pradesh an insult to democracy.
Lashing out at Leader of Opposition R Ashok for his allegations of kickback in garbage tender,Chief Minister D K Shivakumar today said he was talking like a spokesman of the garbage of mafia in Bengaluru.
“Opposition leader R.Ashok is talking like an agent of garbage mafia in Bengaluru.I had previously discussed with him the need to control this mafia.
I am surprised that Ashok has now become the spokesperson for the mafia,”the CM hit back while talking to reporters in Delhi on Wednesday.
When asked about R.Ashok’s allegation that a kickback of Rs 10,000 crore was received in the garbage tender, the CM said:We’ll load whatever garbage he wants into a lorry and send it to him.Earlier, Kumaraswamy had said the same thing.
There is a big garbage lobby in Bengaluru.Why couldn’t they call for garbage tenders during their (BJP’s) time? Previously,we had given permission to 14-15 people to produce energy from waste.
Not a single one succeeded.Before taking this decision,I visited Delhi,Hyderabad,and Chennai to study the matter.”
*Let them conduct any investigation they want:
“The new vendor will invest Rs 6,000 crore for waste disposal.We couldn’t find land anywhere,so it was decided to purchase land near Doddaballapura.
We have also acquired land not acquired by NICE.I have issued an open call for anyone willing to provide land elsewhere to come forward.
Arvind Limbavali had stopped garbage transportation altogether.We gave a grant of Rs.800 crore due to pressures from MLAs.
Gas and electricity must be produced from waste.Let them conduct any investigation they want.Let them submit a report anywhere.
Let alone Rs 36,000 crore—even if Rs.10 crore is misused, let them investigate. I am ready to face it,”he said.
*Politics of jealousy as they cannot digest me being CM:
When asked about BJP leaders meeting the Governor,he said: “They cannot digest that I am the Chief Minister. I know what is happening in their party and other parties.
They are making those comments under whatever pressure they have.Let them speak,no problem.Their own MLAs have told us that garbage tenders were not allowed to be called for the past 10-12 years.
They moved court for everything.Finally,the court ruled that the government’s decision was correct.Even after the court’s ruling,I had formed a committee and ordered an investigation.They are doing politics of jealousy.They cannot tolerate our transparent working style,”he hit back.
When asked about meeting Congress leaders in Delhi, he said: “There is a NITI Aayog meeting tomorrow.All state CMs have been called,and I have come to Delhi for the first time to participate in the NITI Aayog meeting.
Today I met our national leaders Sonia Gandhi,Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi.I also visited the Youth Congress,Mahila Congress,and NSUI offices.They are all pillars of our party.I grew politically through NSUI and Youth Congress.”
When asked about discussions during the meeting with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, he said:”I cannot reveal everything.I am a Congress worker and the Chief Minister of the state.I spoke about what needed to be said. It is not possible to disclose that publicly.”
*Discussion with Union Ministers regarding approval for state projects:
“I met Union Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and requested approval for our state’s projects. He had raised objections to our Metro Double Decker project.
So, I explained the matter to him and requested approval for the project.I also requested that more grants be given to the state through the Central Government’s Urban Challenge Fund,”he said.
“In the evening,a meeting was held with Karnataka state officers in Delhi, and their advice and guidance for the state’s benefit was sought.
Other states are benefiting more from Central Government schemes,and we discussed which schemes we need to prioritize. In the coming days,a meeting of retired officers will be held.Utilizing their experience and service is our government’s thinking,”he said.
*Our guarantee schemes are for the state’s voters and eligible beneficiaries:
When asked about revision of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, he said: “Others are receiving money in the names of deceased beneficiaries.
They have provided someone else’s phone numbers.So, we are reviewing this.There is no intention to reduce the number of beneficiaries.Our aim is to ensure the scheme reaches those who are eligible.”
“Some people are using up to 200 units of free electricity under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme for their shops.One person has six meters registered in his name.
There is no objection if this scheme is availed for residential homes.Those living in rented houses should submit an affidavit. We have implemented this scheme for the voters of Karnataka state,”he clarified.
When asked that the previous NITI Aayog meeting had caused controversy, he said:We are participating in this meeting.Tomorrow I will raise matters relating to our state’s interests.
The Prime Minister informed me on the day I assumed office that he would cooperate with me. We will work together,”he said.
When asked if he would meet the Prime Minister separately, he said:I have requested time from the Prime Minister and other key Union Ministers.The Prime Minister has given time tomorrow.I will meet whoever provides time.”
When asked about cabinet expansion,he said:There is no discussion on that at present.”
*Developments in Madhya Pradesh an insult to democracy:
When asked about rejection of Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha nomination in Madhya Pradesh, he said: “This is shocking news for the country. I have also contested many elections.
The Election Officer or Returning Officer does not have the authority to reject a nomination.If there was any problem, they could have gone to court after the election.
If an FIR was filed somewhere in our name without our knowledge,how would we know about it?She is a leader of our party.
When something like this happened during my nomination filing,I was given a chance to correct it.This is a political conspiracy.
Even if we have more votes,how can BJP claim to win all seats even before the election?.
What has happened in Madhya Pradesh is an injustice. This is an incident that shames democracy,”he lashed out.
